#Part 1#
Late in the evening Kakashi takes a peek into the mission room. Inside the mission-room, there is one last chuunin at the desk.
How lucky for Kakashi!
Still, Kakashi's instincts tell him not to act in a haste. Before jumping out into the room, he observes.
The chuunin is lost in his thoughts and it looks like he is in bad spirits. He bites his lower lip and mumbles something under his breath.
Kakashi has good ears, but he can distinguish only small bits of torn phrases. These are: 'stupid ... bet', 'not ... for me', and 'overly ... dumped', and even altogether make not much sense. Well, Kakashi is late, and he must get rid of his report strictly today. He has no choice.
As he comes closer to the desk, the chuunin's face miraculously brightens. He openly smiles at Kakashi.
Kakashi is not sure what to think about such quick change of mood.
"Hello, jounin-san," the chuunin readily leans forward and takes the sloppy report from Kakashi's rather cold fingers. He's so excited he barely looks at the partially dirtied paper. "Good work! How are you doing? Are you on a leave for several days from now on?"
Kakashi is puzzled, but he nods. He just completed a very unusual mission. He earned this short break.
"Tomorrow, there is a party at my friend's place," the chuunin's smile turns into a charming one.
And the weird scar on his nose becomes even more visible. In Kakashi's opinion, he looks beautiful. And he still talks.
"Would you like to go there with me?"
Whoa!
Kakashi's eye widens a bit. This man is not beating around the bush and goes straight for what he wants.
It's well-known around the village, that Kakashi is not fond of attending parties. But may be exactly this chuunin doesn't know about it.
What is this chuunin's name, anyway? Kakashi doesn't remember talking to him before.
"Why?" Kakashi wonders.
There are so many 'whys' he'd like to know answers to.
The chuunin blushes. Kakashi watches the color red spread across the bridge of the scarred nose and cover the tanned cheeks.
How amusing. He blushes, and he talks a lot.
"A week ago I boasted I'm going out with a jounin," the chuunin mutters quickly. "My friends will laugh me off if I don't bring that jounin to the party. I already asked pretty much every available jounin out, but they all refuse."
Kakashi tilts his head to the side.
"So, it's because of the rank," he drawls. "Won't it be better to ask a nice girl out?"
The chuunin finally looks at him.
"I don't care about the rank, or about girls. It is about my pride here. I know it may seem silly. But while I told everyone I'll bring a jounin to the party with me, I must bring that jounin no matter what!" He stares into Kakashi's eye. "Will you do it for me?"
The direct gaze of the dark-brown eyes full of hope makes Kakashi inwardly shudder. It has been quite long since he last saw such a true expression, not to mention he almost forgot how to wear it on his own hidden face.
Therefore, he can't refuse.
"Fine."
The chuunin jumps up and runs around the desk to Kakashi. He grabs Kakashi's hands and Kakashi lets him do it.
He wonders why.
"Thank you so much!" The chuunin squeezes and shakes Kakashi's palms.
On Kakashi's skin, the chuunin's palms feel hot and a little bit sweaty. To Kakashi's utter surprise, it's not one bit disgusting.
The chuunin inhales, as if he was holding his breath for too long.
"I promise you won't regret it!"
Kakashi gives him a one-eyed smile and accurately steps away, freeing himself from the tight, sweaty grip.
"I hope," Kakashi closes his eye for a short moment and wonders if it looks like a wink. "What's your name?"
The chuunin seems embarrassed of his behavior and hides his hands behind his back.
"I am Iruka. Iruka Umino."
"Nice to meet you, Iruka. My name is Kakashi. Kakashi Hatake."
The sound of Kakashi's name definitely gives the chuunin a shock.
Of course, Kakashi is quite famous.
In spite of his blush cedes to paleness when he hears Kakashi's name, the chuunin doesn't waver. He is a very devoted, and desperate, young man.
Just the way Kakashi likes them.